Samford University has announced plans to make its campus wireless. Wireless access will be available for all academic buildings and the central quadrangle by the fall 2008 semester, with residence halls and other buildings completed no later than August 2009.

A student technology fee is being implemented to help fund the project and other technology needs, according to Alan Hargrave, associate provost and chief information officer. Fees will be $110 per fall and spring semester, $30 per summer term and $20 for Jan-term.

The fee will be assessed for all students beginning with the summer 2008 term.

"Samford historically has chosen to bundle all costs in tuition and has not charged many university-wide fees," Hargrave said. "Many universities assess technology fees of varying amounts. By joining the ranks of such universities, Samford will be better able to meet the ever-increasing technology needs and expectations of our students and faculty."

Cost for the initial wireless implementation will be about $1.2 million, but the fee provides a revenue source for ongoing technology needs and expansion, Hargrave noted.

"The Student Government Association has been working with the Samford administration for several years and especially with President Westmoreland this past year to equip Samford's campus with wireless coverage," said Rob Howell, SGA president and a history and religion major from Haleyville, Ala.

"We feel that student access to this resource not only makes life more convenient and better allows us to better utilize Samford's other academic resources. SGA understands that a student fee is one of the best ways to make this happen."